My thoughts have been returning often lately to friendship – specifically to real friendship, as in friends with whom you can be real. I am troubled by the degree to which we (“we” being specifically Christians in modern day U.S.A.) are generally not genuine with one another. We put on our happy face and do our best to be seen as “together.” I am becoming increasingly convinced that our lack of “realness” is extremely detrimental to the body of Christ, as well as to the world around us. How are we to “confess (our) sins to one another and pray for one another, that (we) may be healed” (James 5.16) if we constantly keep on our masks?

The last few years have brought a blessing to my life that is rare treasure. God has given me a bosom friend (as Anne would say), and a friendship in which there is a deep mutual realness. It is unspeakably encouraging to me, as I seek to laid hold of that for which I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus, to know that my dear friend is struggling along beside me. The depth to which we can be spiritually naked with each other helps us both to keep seeking after our Saviour. We don’t have it perfected yet… but that’s okay, because we both know that we’re still “in process” that that He Who promised is faithful.

I’m so thankful for the friendships the Lord has given me. I am blessed to have a wonderful circle of friends who love and pray for me. I am seeking to be more genuine with those in my life. But I’m going to be genuine with you and say that it is stinking hard sometimes. How many people really want to hear that I yell at my children, have forgiveness issues, have self-destructive tendencies, struggle with disturbing sin, doubt my Saviour’s love, and more? And I’m not proposing that we blurt out our deepest and darkest struggles to everyone we meet. But my goal is to wear my “got-it-all-together” mask less often… to be genuine… to be approachable… to be a real friend.

Thirteen years ago, on a beautiful sunny day, Jonathan and I began our life together. I am thankful beyond words for Jonathan and our journey together. And today, I get to spend the whole day with him!

(I really need to get our wedding pictures scanned):

And a song some friends sang for us at our reception:[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQE5PNRLZ40&hl=en&fs=1]

Yes, I think it’s supposed to be 7 random things about me, but if the shoe fits…

1) I am a birth nut. I think that the process of pregnancy and birth is one of the most amazing of God’s creations. To carry and give birth to my children has been an honour and a privilege.

2) Logging hours is the bane of my existence as a home school mom.

3) I want a tattoo. Not just any tattoo, but a specific one. It will be my reward when I reach my goal weight.

4) I twirl my hair. My Mama twirls her hair (though not as much as when she was a little girl like me). My daughters twirl their hair (and started to when they were too young to have been imitating). I believe hair twirling is genetic.

5) I love road trips. Even with 7 kiddos!

6) I would like to visit my birth city of Valencia, Spain. That’s near the top of a long list of overseas travelling I’d love to do.

7) I’m rather claustrophobic. Caves, semi-trailers combined with concrete guardrails, even small spaces in movies or computer games. And having the blankets over my head. I’d better stop; I’m getting twitchy.

I realize this is horribly cheating, but if you haven’t yet been tagged, consider yourself tagged now. I think most of you who read my blog have already done this. If you haven’t, get busy!